RENTON -- The Seattle Seahawks placed tackle Brandon Shell and safety Damarious Randall on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday.
Additionally, cornerback Tre Flowers was activated from injured reserve to fill the roster spot vacated by the release of defensive tackle Damon Harrison on Monday.
Shell and Randall become the first two players this season on the 53-man roster to have landed on the COVID-19 list. Wide receiver John Ursua landed on the list due to a false positive test in training camp and defensive tackle Bryan Mone spent several days on the list while on injured reserve. Up until now, no one on the roster had tested positive for COVID-19 all season. Head coach Pete Carroll said on Friday that Shell had had a close contact with a positive case outside the team but had not tested positive. Whether either he or Randall now have tested positive is still uncertain. A positive test would mean a minimum 10-day absence, which could keep the players out for a playoff game next weekend. High-risk close contacts that continue to test negative can return after five days.
In place of Shell and Randall, the Seahawks elevated running back Alex Collins and wide receiver Penny Hart from the practice squad as COVID-19 replacements. Additionally, veteran guard Alex Boone was elevated well as a standard weekly promotion after signing with the squad two weeks ago.
Collins had already come up for two games earlier this season, which was the maximum allowed by the league. However, COVID-19 elevations don't fall under that restriction. Also, that will no longer be the case in the postseason when players can be elevated an unlimited amount of times from the practice squad (max two per week).
Shell was on track to return to the lineup this week after dealing with a high-ankle sprain the last six weeks. He had returned to start against his former team, the New York Jets, but was unable to finish the game. Cedric Ogbuehi will get another start in place of Shell Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers in Arizona. Jamarco Jones and Chad Wheeler have also played at right tackle in Shell's absence.
Randall was questionable to play due to a foot injury that had kept him out the last couple of weeks.
Boone gives Seattle additional depth inside at guard with Mike Iupati questionable to play due to a stinger.
Flowers returns to the roster after missing the last four games with a hamstring injury. He will likely slot in behind D.J. Reed as a backup at cornerback and help on special teams as Reed's play has earned him the right to hold onto the starting job.
Photo Credit: INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 15: Brandon Shell #72 of the Seattle Seahawks during warm up before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)